Child Therapy
There are a number of reasons why children may need mental health and counselling support. Child Therapy can look different than counselling for adults. Counselling for children can be an important resource as they are encountering change, difficult experiences, grief or mental health challenges. It is important for a child therapist to adapt to the needs and developmental stage of the child.
We know that it may be overwhelming to try to find the right therapist and therapy for your child’s needs. The most important part of child counselling is developing a safe and trusted relationship between the child and the counsellor. Often times this means that the therapist will do things like play games, colour, do art work, or use other child friendly methods of relationship building before anything else.
Through therapy, we focus on the emotional well-being for children and teens and can help to develop stress management for children, coping mechanisms for kids, child emotional intelligence, social skills development, child resilience building, anxiety and depression in children, and adolescent mental health.
We can also work with caregivers in the child’s life to develop positive parenting practices and parenting support and strategies and help you identify when a child may benefit from therapy.
You can learn more about the types of therapy used with children at Haven Wellness Collective here:
Child’s Play Therapy
The therapist will be present but often allows the child to guide the play together. The therapist may make suggestions but the child has the autonomy to guide therapy as they would like. A range of issues, such as anxiety, depression, grief, emotion regulation, bullying, social difficulties, familial difficulties, divorce, and self-esteem can be addressed through play therapy sessions. We work with children over 3 on coping strategies for kids and emotional development.
Play Therapy for Teens
Play-based therapy offers a different approach for engaging teens. Some adolescents are reluctant to talk and it can be difficult for them to open up with what they are struggling with. Creative approaches like art and play therapy involve an indirect exploration of their challenges. If you have a teen or tween that says counselling is boring – this might be a great option for them!
The Benefits of Play Therapy are:
- Safe and healthy expression of emotions
- Encourages creativity and imagination
- Builds confidence and self-esteem
- Improves social skills and relationships with others
- Helps children process difficult emotions and experiences
Virtual Play Therapy
When it is difficult to come to our location in Kitsilano or you prefer to have therapy at home or a different location, we offer virtual play therapy. Counselling for kids can take many forms.
You may not expect that play therapy would be effective through an online platform, but there are tools and therapeutic play techniques we can use. With play-based therapy we might explore feeling and emotions with figures, games, toys, crafts, images, and songs to express and explore their innermost worlds.
Online play therapy can be just as effective as in-person. Book a consultation if you’d like to explore if virtual or telehealth therapy can meet your family’s needs.
Sand Tray Therapy
Sand tray therapy is a type of therapy that uses a sandbox and miniature figures to create a representation of a child’s world. This type of therapy can help children explore their feelings and emotions in a safe and non-threatening way. Oftentimes children do not have the words to express what they are feeling but can show and process their feelings and experiences through play and using figurines in the sand tray.
Sand play therapy is particularly useful for children who may not have the language or communication skills to express their feelings verbally. Sand tray therapy is useful for both children and adults and is available in our Vancouver office.
The Benefits of Sand Tray Therapy are:
- Allows children to express their emotions in a non-verbal way
- Encourages creativity and imagination
- Helps children feel in control of their world
- Provides a safe and contained space for exploration and expression
- Facilitates the processing of traumatic experiences
Art Therapy
The Benefits of Art Therapy are:
- Encourages creativity and imagination
- Provides a non-verbal way to express emotions that can be used in and out of counselling
- Helps children process difficult emotions and experiences in an external way
Parent and Child Counselling
Haven Wellness Collective offers parent and child counselling as a form of therapy. This type of therapy can include the parent and child in the room together and also separately depending on what is needed for the relationship. Counselling can help improve communication between the parent and child, and can help both parties deal with a range of issues, such as anxiety, depression, grief, emotion regulation, bullying, social difficulties, familial difficulties, divorce, and self-esteem. While therapy is an important part of the child’s week we know that you as the parent are with the child the majority of their time. Parent/Child therapy can be a place to learn new parenting techniques that support your child as an individual and give you the emotional support you need as a parent.
The benefits of Parent and Child Counselling are:
- Improves communication between parent and child
- Builds stronger relationships, attachment and connections
- Provides a safe space for both parent and child to express their feelings and emotions
- Helps both parties deal with a range of issues, such as anxiety, depression, grief, emotion regulation, bullying, social difficulties, familial difficulties, divorce, and self-esteem
- Improves overall family functioning
Confidentiality in Child Therapy
Confidentiality is a vital aspect of any therapeutic relationship, including child therapy. It is important for children to feel safe and secure in their therapy sessions, and knowing that what they say will be kept confidential can help with this. However, there are certain situations in which confidentiality may need to be breached, such as if the child is at risk of harm or if there is suspected abuse or neglect. It is important to discuss confidentiality with your child’s therapist at Haven Wellness Collective before beginning therapy, so that you are clear on what to expect and can ensure that your child feels safe and supported throughout the therapeutic process.
Frequently Asked Questions about Child Therapy
How many sessions will it take?
Each child and how they respond to therapy is very different. As each person’s goals are going to be different it is difficult to give an estimate. Feel free to reach out to one of our counsellors to do a free consultation call to ask more specific questions about this.
Will my child's therapist share what my child says with me?
Depending on the age of your child as well as the discussions at the beginning of therapy the information from your child’s therapy being shared will vary. Some children would like all their information shared with their parents and others prefer more confidentiality. You can speak with your therapist about this in a consultation call and as you start therapy so you can come to an agreement that works for all parties. If your child is ever at risk for harm or in danger this information will be not be kept confidential.
What are the limits to confidentiality?
Confidentiality is limited when a child or other person is at risk of harm or in a harmful situation. It is our legal duty to report any risk of harm for a child in order to ensure their safety. If there are legal proceedings there is a chance that notes may be subpoenaed and this would also be a limit of confidentiality. Please reach out to our therapists if you have any concerns or questions about this.
What happens if my child discloses abuse or neglect?
As counsellors it is our legal and ethical duty to report any child abuse or neglect. If your child discloses abuse or neglect we will support them in informing child protective services and safe adults in their life. This is in order to ensure their safety as well as the safety and wellbeing of other people around them as well.
How will Haven Wellness Collective keep my child's information safe?
Our counsellors are bound by strict confidentiality agreements and do not disclose you or your child’s information unless legally mandated. All of our software is encrypted and stored in Canada to ensure your child’s information is safe. If you have further questions or concerns about this please reach out and let us know.
Exploring the Benefits of Working with a Registered Play Therapist
Ready to empower your child with the tools for emotional resilience and mental health? Lynn, Sandy, Kate & Amy offer creative therapies for children and child therapy at our Vancouver office or online. If you believe that your child could benefit from any of the services we offer at Haven Wellness Collective you can schedule a free consultation call or book your first session online.
